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LAKE FOREST, Ill. – Bears head coach Marc Trestman confirmed Friday that recently signed return specialist Marc Mariani will handle return duties this weekend against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. “He’s worked hard this week and he’ll be returning for us, both punts and kickoffs,” Trestman said. “He’s had a reliable week and picked things up in the return game. I think all of us feel good about that.”  The Bears signed Mariani to a two-year contract on Tuesday after Chris Williams suffered a hamstring injury presumably in the 21-13 victory over Minnesota.
Williams has been officially ruled out for Sunday. Mariani earned a trip to the Pro Bowl after the 2010 season as a member of the Tennessee Titans, but hasn’t played in a regular-season game since 2011. Mariani broke his leg in 2012 and missed all of the 2013 season with a shoulder injury. The Titans cut Mariani in late August. “I’ve had some time off but I’m really excited about this opportunity,” Mariani said. “I feel very confident I can go out there and help this team win. I’ve been waiting for this shot, and I’m going to make the most of it. [I’ve] just been working my [tail] off. I was hoping the call would come and I was preparing for it every week. So I knew it would happen fast, and it’s happening real fast. I knew I had to be ready when my number was called. I’ve been waiting and trying to stay as best prepared as I possibly can. I’m excited for Sunday. “It’s what I love to do. I feel like standing under punts is the greatest feeling in the world. I enjoy that. I’d be lying to you if I said I wasn’t a little nervous. But just to have those game day butterflies again is a beautiful feeling. I’ve had way too many Sundays on the couch this year. I’m ready to go.” Weather is expected to be a factor on Sunday. Local forecasts predict a 100 percent chance of precipitation when the Bears and Bucs kickoff at noon CT. Luckily for Mariani, he feels past experiences have prepared him to handle returns in slick conditions. “I’ve returned in some very poor conditions,” Mariani said. “Playing [college ball] at the University of Montana, I’m no stranger to the cold, the outdoors, the rain or the wind. But I have never been to Soldier Field so that will be part of my preparation; to get there and check it out and check out the wind. From what I’m told when the ball goes up it flies around [at Soldier Field]. I’m going to do my best to prepare. Everything is new to me this week. The more I prepare, the more I will be ready for Sunday.”
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